Here’s a list of books and films that have informed and inspired me on my health journey, and that can help you learn more as you re-evaluate your own relationship to food. Please don’t feel you “have” to read any of them — I’m not big on lists of “do’s” and “don’ts” because that’s just not how life works! But if any of these titles speak to you, they’re all on my shelf of well-worn favorites and I can promise they’re well-written and full of facts and wisdom that may surprise, excite and energize you on your path to better health.
Books
Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual, by Michael Pollan
Eat To Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss, by Joel Fuhrman, MD
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal, by Eric Schlosser
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and The Startling Implications For Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health, by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II, MD
Sugar Salt Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, by Michael Moss
The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Resource For Healthy Eating, by Rebecca Wood (Author), Peggy Markel (Illustrator), and Paul Pitchford (Foreword)
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg
Healthier without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance, by Stephen Wangen, MD
Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, by Paul Pitchford
The Blood Sugar Solution: The UltraHealthy Program for Losing Weight, Preventing Disease, and Feeling Great Now!, by Mark Hyman, MD
The Healthy Green Drink Diet: Advice and Recipes to Energize, Alkalize, Lose Weight, and Feel Great, by Jason Manheim
Greens Glorious Greens!: More than 140 Ways to Prepare All Those Great-Tasting, Super-Healthy, Beautiful Leafy Greens, by Johnna Albi and Catherine Walthers
The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook: Over 300 Delicious Whole Foods Recipes, Including Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, and Egg-Free Dishes, by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre, MS, CN
Nourishing Meals: 365 Whole Foods, Allergy-Free Recipes for Healing Your Family One Meal at a Time, by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre, MS, CN
Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!, by Kris Carr
Films
Forks Over Knives, Written and Directed by Lee Fulkerson
Hungry for Change, Directed by James Colquhoun, Laurentine Ten Bosch and Carlo Ledesma
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Directed by Joe Cross and Kurt Engfehr
Food Inc., Directed by Robert Kenner
Food Matters, Directed by James Colquhoun and Carlo Ledesma
Fast Food Nation, Directed by Richard Linklater
Super Size Me, Directed by Morgan Spurlock
